Can I get to a major or LCC?
 

Just hit 1500, did the ATP-CPT and written on my own. 400 hours of jet time and another 200+ of twin turbine time. Is a major possible these days? It seems the LCCs have all closed up hiring for a while due to various reasons.


Or will I need to go to a regional for a while?

Doesn't cost anything to put in apps, but you are a little skosh for most legacies and the PRATT&Whitney problems are certainly affecting the ULCCs presently. Assuming they win their court case, I'd expect JetBlue and Spirit to increase their hiring modestly. But there is nothing wrong with going to a regional in the interim. Any 121 time adds to your chances of getting hired at any major. Just don't go to the regional flying for the company you want as your final employer. That will actually slow you down these days

Apply to the phone book. You did not mention other things that majors find important. Where was most of your training? Any checkride busts? How much turbine PIC? 4 year degree from a decent school with good GPA? Any relevant management experience at non flying jobs? In the end apply. Let the airlines decide if they want you or not. If you don't apply the answer is no.

Apply to SWA. You stand a good chance of getting an interview although we have announced a drastic slow to hiring next year. I know of a guy that just finished IOE (four trips and 77 hours of block time to get through), who had 200 total fixed wing. The rest is rotor. So I'd say you're far more qualified than him.

The caveat is don't plan on staying. Get yourself to one of the Big 3 as soon as you can. Fortunately, those Big 3 love to poach our pilots once they get some of the SWA stink on them.

I have thought about that. Silly question, is the 73 hard to land? I've heard it can be difficult, any truth to that?

do us all, including yourself, a favor and spend some time at a regional

Lmao partly because there’s some truth to this but it’s not the times we live in. Good for these guys that they don’t have to endure the crap we had to. I don’t mind flying with inexperienced new FOs but they better be likable and humble.

Honestly though, is flying an E-170 or CRJ-700/900 much different than slipping into a 737 or 320?

Yes it’s notoriously hard. It can be a deal breaker for some. Many look for future employment based on how hard it is to land the fleet they’ll be flying. Plus it’s a 50 year old design. Come to breeze airways where you can butter landings on the forgiving E195 and A220, they have thick landing shocks for better padding. Couple of hundred hours and you can go anywhere after!

Not really but that’s a relative question, right? Compared to what?

For me the -700 is cake to land and the -800 & MAX8 flys much nicer but requires more attention when landing.

I do hope that you’re not basing career decisions on this though, right?

Yes, G4 isn't planning to slow hiring. Classes are running every 3 weeks for 320/737MAX.